Six-year-old girl drowns at Caledonia's Bear Paw Beach; police investigating
A 6-year-old girl drowned Saturday night at Caledonia's Bear Paw Beach, according to the Caledonia Police Department.
Bear Paw is located next to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort.
The police department and the Caledonia Fire Department were called to Bear Paw Beach, 10006 7 Mile Road, for a "possible drowning" shortly before 5:50 p.m. Saturday, Deputy Chief of Police Shawn Engleman said in a news release.
"Upon arrival, it was discovered that a 6-year-old female had been under water for an undetermined amount of time," the news release said.
Fire department personnel started lifesaving efforts and then took the girl to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, the news release said.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the drowning.
"Please keep everyone affected by this tragic incident in your thoughts and prayers," Engleman said in the news release.
Bear Paw Beach is a popular attraction in Racine County that features a 3-acre manmade lake with a beach and cabanas, a jumping pillow, playground, laser tag, a Northern Lights Drone Show and live music, according to its website. It's also home to Adventure Island, an inflatable waterpark and obstacle course.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of the victim and to all those affected by this tragic event," Bear Paw Beach said in an emailed statement. "The owners of Bear Paw Beach are cooperating with local authorities in an attempt to determine what caused the accident."
The business thanked the fire and police departments for their "fast and professional response and actions."
Bear Paw's current focus is to provide time and resources to its employees who were affected by the incident, according to the statement.
The business posted on Facebook that the beach and Adventure Island would be closed Sunday "due to staffing shortages." Both are to reopen Monday, the post said.
According to Bear Paw's website, there are no lifeguards on duty, and attendants are for the Adventure Island obstacle course.
Contact Hannah Kirby at hannah.kirby@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HannahHopeKirby.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 6-year-old girl dies after drowning at Caledonia's Bear Paw Beach
